Have You Ever

It's been a long crazy rough weekend + a day.

Have you ever just wanted to be a dog?

 You know... just lay on some nice warm rocks in sun...

 ...maybe roll over onto your back and feel the warmth of the sun on your belly?

 Or maybe you're more of a shade dog, who has no worries...

...and you don't even mind the sleepy in your eyes, because, after all, that's what you do. Sleep.

(A few years back Mar really wanted to be a dog. She even had a collar. Good times.)

It's nice to wish... until the poor pups spend the day in their kennels (which happened today). When Mar and I arrived home after a long 5 hours away, we chatted about how maybe the pups worry a little if we are ever ever ever coming home. Maybe they get bored. Maybe they need to potty. Perhaps they need a drink. So maybe a dogs life isn't all fun and games (and sleep). But it just might have been better than the past couple days around here.

But I'd better be careful, because as soon as you say it can't get much worse, it gets worse.

Shhhhhhhh.

Have you ever had great plans, put in a ton o' work, only to feel disappointed when things didn't go as smoothly as you had planned? I felt the weight of opposition constantly this weekend. It was like trudging through mud to do the simple acts of service I intended to do.

I baked a lot this weekend. For several months I have wanted to make something delicious and yummy to take to two new neighbors that moved in on our street. I tried a few weeks back to make some s'mores bars... FAIL. I tried to time-and-a-half the recipe and make it in a jelly roll pan... they were a hot mess, so we took half a tray over to the Weeds (because we knew they knew we I could make something better) so as not to waste a boatload of butter, grahams, chocolate, and marshmallows. I was determined to try again and set out to make warm rolls to deliver along with homemade raspberry jam (leftover from Jason and Lex's wedding). After a few hair appointments Saturday morning, I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen.

The rolls came out great, despite the fact that I was multi tasking (I'm not good at that, remember) and cranking out two pie crusts because I've also had long-time good intentions to take a chocolate pie to one of my visiting teaching sisters (her husband has dropped a hint or two). I was going to git 'er done, and it was git'n done now.

I had actually made two pies on Friday, but we ended up eating them after going to the temple with the Weeds that evening, then offering up a treat at our house. What's another couple pies, right? (I always try to make two so my family doesn't feel neglected, although, really, the last thing we I need is pie). Soooooooo, that meant another couple pies on Saturday. Of course, I ran out of eggs (after we had already made a grocery store run earlier in the day), so after Bill and I took a carload of girls to the cannery dance (UUUUGGGGHHHH.... a good 45 minutes away + Walmart run = 2 hours gone-baby-gone), we stopped again for eggs.

And those rolls? Hot and yummy right out of the oven? Neither neighbor was home.

We bagged them up for a second attempt (cold and day old) on Sunday.

Sunday morning I prepared my lesson, whipped up a couple pie fillings, and had grand plans to snip a few wild sunflowers on the way to church for a handout to go with my Sunday School lesson. That resulted in a super quick get ready job (not my best look, if you know what I mean). Once Mar and I were on our way, we scoured for sunflowers, finding some on the golf course property near our home. While Mar waited in the car, I, in my Sunday finery, stomped through tall weedy grass (and a million grasshoppers) to the place where the sunflowers were. There might have been a foursome of male golfers nearby wondering what the heck a lady in a dress was doing in the weeds. The flowers weren't the prettiest I'd seen, but I was hoping to find enough that would "do" for my class, so I madly snipped, noticing that the flowers had a lot o' bugs all over them. I carried them back to the car, handed them to Mar, and headed back towards church. I told Mar to keep an eye out for any more as we drove. Suddenly (tender mercy) we spotted a huge sunflower plant on a corner of a lot where a new home was being built. Perfect. We tossed the sad, small, bug infested flowers, and snipped some of the large, prettier flowers before heading once again to the church (only a couple minutes late). Mar and I might have had an ant or two spotted on us during sacrament meeting (and we felt super creepy crawly the rest of the day - yuck!).

The handouts were just as I had imagined, however. Supa cute and went right along with the lesson.

After sacrament meeting I texted my visiting teaching friend, who I had so lovingly (and tirelessly) made a chocolate cream pie for... she was out of town (of course!). She was, however, coming back late Sunday evening, so I could run it over on Monday.

Not long after arriving home after church, I thought I smelled a little doggy poo in the house. Sometimes my sniffer is good, sometimes it's great, and doggy poo is hard to get past me. I looked around a little, then engaged Mar to help. She said she thought it smelled funny in the basement, so she went down to check, only to discover that it wasn't doggy poo after all. Our freezer had completely defrosted, was draining water, and smelled of defrosted old freezer food (edamame is the worst!).

AAAAUUUUGGGGHHH!

We went to work trying to salvage the pricey stuff (i.e. MEAT) by cramming it in our little narrow freezer in the kitchen, which also entailed removing items that could stand to be defrosted for a day or longer (mainly nuts, coconut, chocolate, and bread). And since my turkey breast would not fit, I popped it into a crock pot (just what I wanted to do... cook a turkey), and made a pan of cheesy potatoes with our defrosted hashbrowns. (Lest you be concerned about food safety, luckily - tender mercy - we had caught the failing freezer before things had warmed up... everything was still cold, just unthawed. The turkey breast still had ice in the cavity. So far we've experienced NO cases of food poisoning knock on wood.) LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THIS WAS NOT HOW I WANTED TO SPEND MY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. I was really wanting Jack and Ava's life around then (they were loving the smell of... smelly stuff... in between naps).

Bill came home between meetings and did the heavy cleaning and mopping, then we ran over to our new neighbors to deliver the cold, day old rolls and jam. Only one of them was home, but it was so so nice to finally introduce ourselves and chat it up with Anne from Florida.

Today I have worked (oh, was I moving s l o w today), then shopped around for a new freezer (finally just ordered it online), picked up the carpool, topped my chocolate pie with whipped cream, and finally delivered it.

It didn't necessarily feel good... it felt hard. Really, really hard.

To top off this super fantastic past few days, I have jury duty tomorrow. I have to report at 8am in Castle Rock. Seriously. Have you ever wanted to do your civic duty... but some other day?

This has helped me through the rough days:

I just need to nap more!

(My favorite mantra as of late: Latter-day Saints keep on trying.)

Early Mornings.

Mar started early morning Seminary this week. Bill snapped a couple of pics on the first day (again, issues with the focus - I'm not impressed with our new{ish} point-and-shoot so far).

Three days down, many more mornings to go.

It may take us a while to get back into the swing of things.

Mar volunteered to give the spiritual thought for day two.

("When our teacher asked for volunteers, there was just silence for a long time... so I raised my hand.")

She found this fun handout online

and we spent our FHE on Monday night discussing this talk, printing out handouts, laminating, cutting, and adding magnets to the back - Mar thought she could encourage the kids to hang them up in their lockers.

We've already had several opportunities to talk about values and high school. Unfortunately, they (values and high school) don't match up very well. One of Mar's comments after the first day of school was, "The language in high school is way worse than in middle school. Even the teachers use bad language." So, so disappointing! I had a discussion with a good friend who has a sophomore son who can hardly tolerate the foul language used by coaches and teammates in high school sports. She pondered for a long time how to handle the situation... all through summer break. She read the school's Code of Conduct policy that every student and parent signs (electronically) every year (Under the School Climate heading it states the following: "Students, staff, parents and community will behave in a manner which fosters a positive school environment"; with some of the key indicators: "Use courteous and polite language and behavior," "Show sensitivity towards others," and "Exercise self discipline.") 

She prayed about how to approach the topic with coaches and/or administrators. She drafted a letter to the Athletic Director of the school, however had not sent it. Sometime during the first week of classes, the choir director (who is a favorite teacher at the school and beloved and respected by many students) told his elite choir classes (including her son) that during the upcoming choir retreat there would be NO PROFANITY. PERIOD. It simply will not be tolerated. My friend sent him an email thanking him for his professional example and high standards, and had her answer for handling the situation she had pondered and stressed over for so long: she now had a POSITIVE example to share along with her CONCERN about the lack of professionalism and respectful language apparent among many of the coaches and staff at the school. She called to schedule an appointment with the principal. When we talked, she was waiting to hear back from his secretary. She is such a great example to me! 

Mar, Bill and I have also had discussions about dating, "going out," and pairing up. 

So many kids Mar's age are jumping into "relationships," and she has felt pressure from friends to join in. I believe the counsel in For the Strength of Youth is meant to be taken literally, not just as a suggestion:

"You should not date until you are at least 16 years old. When you begin dating, go with one or more additional couples. Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person. Developing serious relationships too early in life can limit the number of other people you meet and can perhaps lead to immorality."

Mar's caught between a rock and a hard place because she doesn't want to be rude, but she'd like the pressure to stop already. Sweet daughter, heed the counsel of your loving mother and avoid the "relationship" temptation - even after dating age - until you're out of high school. {Please?}

Mar had her Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday. It was beautiful.

Her comment as we left the Patriarch's home: "I couldn't stop smiling."

She can't wait to get the written copy to read and re-read.

I know it will be an incredible help to her as she navigates high school and the rest of her life.

Here's one of her Instas from this past week:

You go, girl!

Two First Days.

 Mar is in high school!! So weird.

She had 2 first days of school. Monday was the freshman/new student day where they have a welcoming assembly, split up into groups and play games, find their lockers (this is the first time kids around here have the opportunity to have a real live locker as the middle schools do not have them which is so so dumb but a topic for another day although I no longer really care because I'll never have a middle school student again), walk through their schedules, check out the lunch process, and do all those things that prepare them for the actual first day of school on Tuesday.

As I snapped pics yesterday, Mar reminded me that these aren't the "official" first day pictures.

 Note: It was totally random {and funny} that this was posted Aug. 6th on Bill's work blog with a pic of our drop-off of Britt at BYU in 2009... 

...yep, that's the same shirt Mar wore on Monday. Love hand-me-downs, a durable product, and a good value!!

On to today... the official first day of school.

Although we carefully planned the night before, Mar was slightly scrambling at the last minute to get her teeth brushed and to wipe a stain from breakfast off her pants. AAAAUUUUUGGGGHHH! Those stains. So annoying.

Unfortunately, I don't think that stain will disappear, but I'm pretty sure Mar won't let it ruin her day.

(I also didn't have my camera focused right, and Mar's ride was patiently waiting in the driveway while I snapped in a frenzy.)

I finally {finally} have a carpool coordinated.

Each year I wonder if it would just be easier to bag the carpool and do all the driving myself. As I contemplated it for this year, which includes early morning seminary at our church building in the opposite direction of the school, then the pick up from seminary and drop off AT school, then pick up AFTER school, I decided a carpool would be most advantageous. Seminary doesn't start until next week, so this week is just a crazy mixed-up-carpool-make-it-through kind of week. Starting second semester, Mar will have a ride with our dear neighbor, Mace, who will finally be eligible to drive another person (CO driving laws don't allow a newly-licensed young driver to drive anyone but family members for the first 6 months they have their license). During her freshman year, Mace hitched a ride with Lolo to and from Seminary each day (then with Mic the first semester of the following year), so it's a favor returned in kind. 

I love that!

My fingers are crossed that it will be a super fantastic first day for Mar and her friends.

And since I love a good blast from the past, here are Mar's cute sisters on their first day of high school:

 (Britt circa 2005)

(Lex circa 2008)

(Shi circa 2010)

Taylor's pics are somewhere... non-digitized at the moment... bummer!

Bill and I had a conversation this morning about how much kids change in those high school years. I'm sure Mar will be no exception.
I hope it's a great year!

Life Lately.

So much to say, so little time. The curse of my life.

(Billy-my-hero would agree... my curse = his curse. Haha)

I'm just trying to do a little catch up today.

Last week Mar headed off to girls camp with this fabulous crew:

 Bishop Bill gave a moving good-bye in the parking lot of the middle school.

Then the ward historian snapped a group pic.

The girls loaded into cars and were gone, baby, gone.

At home alone, I got the organizing bug and went hog-wild under Lolo's and Mar's bathroom sinks.

Yeah, there was a lot o' stuff under there that needed to be purged.

Like these ribbons, hair bows, and flowers:

 I'll admit, I was saddened to think my years of hair bows are pretty much over.

It means I really, really AM getting old.

Yes, there is a q-tip in the middle of the hair bows. We pretty much have q-tips all over every bathroom in the house. We buy q-tips in bulk and restock regularly. We fight over them when we travel because we never bring enough. Love them, unless I have to pick a ton of used ones up off of the bathroom floor of someone who shall remain nameless {wink}.

I loaded up garbage cans full of this, that, and the other. Gotta love a half-used bottle of Agent Cool Blue...

...that expired 5 years ago.

 Needless to say, a good purge makes miso happy!

I also found some new athletic shoes (for my highly athletic self). Shopping therapy helps when you are feeling lonely and need a break from organizing therapy.

 They are a tad bright, but they were on clearance. And they are very comfortable.

I totally have granny cankles, though. I really, really AM getting old.

(This pic courtesy of Annie, our YW president, since I wasn't there when they were all in their fabulous shirts.)

And here was their pre (or post) flag ceremony "talent" that Mar was in charge of coordinating. She rewrote lyrics (to make them more girls camp worthy) and arranged practices. 

I think she did a bang-up fabulous job. And I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom.

Bill and I drove up to girls camp Friday to spend the evening with girls.

The decorations were adorable, and so on pointe with their fabulous theme.

The girls had made this cute craft... I'm loving how I there's a fly on it (I didn't notice until I had downloaded the pics). How fitting.

They made bracelets...

...did some archery...

...relaxed in their roomy 3rd-year tent (last year they had 6 girls in a 6-man tent... you and I both know that when it says it's a "6-man" tent, it means it will fit 6 smallish people crammed in like sardines with NO luggage, pillows, and extra blankets)...

...and enjoyed relaxing and visiting with each other.

We gathered after dinner for a brief message from the Stake President.

After mixing up some fabulous copycat Swig/Sodalicious drinks and Italian sodas for the girls, we had a ward testimony meeting.

Just as Bill was getting the meeting underway, I snuck away to the mens-room-turned-ladies-room for a bathroom break. There in the one-and-only stall (poor guys), was the "smelly bin" for our ward. It's a big tote for the girls to put their smelly items in (toothpaste, deodorant, candy, etc) that is kept in the closed-door bathrooms to keep the bears away. Written on top of the bin were the signatures of girls in the ward. Lolo's name was there. Cheyenne's name was there. The names of girls from camps past intermixed with the names of girls new to YW or new to our ward from this year.

It made me emotional. ME. I wanted to shed a tear or two, but my surroundings (mens-room-turned-ladies-room) brought me back to the here and now. Oh, how time flies.

We helped pack up camp and returned home the following day.
Lauren and Mar hung out and relaxed until it was time to take Lauren to DIA to head home to TX after her long summer adventure (we were the final stop along the way). Her flight was delayed a couple times, so it made for a late, late night for her and her fam (with 9am church the next morning).

On Monday, Bill took Mar to check-in at the high school (high school!), then the two of them headed off to work (Mar's working on a project for her daddy-o). I had an early appointment (which is why Bill took Mar - his first time ever at a school check-in), and worked most of the day as well.

On Tuesday, Mar and I went like a tornado through her drawers and closets to clear out the unused, unwearable, unloved, and undersized. Okay, so maybe I went like a tornado. Mar was more like an observer, watching the tornado on TV.  Hah. We cleared out 2 garbage bags full of donate-able goods. And we had a good idea of what she still needed for the new school year. We cleaned ourselves up and spent the afternoon shopping. Luckily, Mar has simple needs: some new athletic shoes, a few layering tanks, a jacket, a couple pairs of jeans, and a few unmentionables. She kind of got wrapped up in wanting to spend her hard-earned money on a long board, which she initially thought was $89. Nope, Mar, that's $189. That girl cracks me up.

After a tornadic shopping afternoon, we stopped for a breather at a frozen yogurt shop.

(Am I the only one that has a problem with "Tutti Frutti"? I know it's supposed to be said "Tooty Fruity" but I can't help but think grammatically it's more like "Tut-ee Frut-ee".)

Work and piano lessons today (those lessons stress Mar out, especially when she hasn't practiced for two solid weeks). I am still in the middle of my organizing/purging frenzy, so things are all out of place around here and it's exhausting just thinking about getting everything where it needs to be. But life is good.